Lake of Blood - "As Time And Tide Erodes Stone" (2011) [Label Announcement Soon!]

So, as those of us who live in Chicago know, these final weeks before Christmas mean one thing: snow. Sure, it might not be as "majestic" and "awe-inspiring" as what one might see on the northern coasts of either side of our country or atop the Rocky Mountains, but, I can assure you, it is just as cold. With this quick transformation of a bustling city to the innards of an industrial-grade freezer comes horrendous traffic, pitch black slush, and abject fucking misery.

As I sit here in the frigid depths of my parents' basement [I'm home for the holidays] with "As Time And Tide Erodes Stone," SoCal black metal band Lake of Blood's first full-length, I cant help but feel even colder. This five-piece's blistering-yet-hypnotic dual-guitar attack sets the standard snow-topped mountains as a backdrop for extreme urban decay, whose cities' decrepit skylines are caked in a thick fog. Like the city I call my home, this album is bleak and grey (I mean, look at that album cover. These guy mean business). These two lengthy tracks (17 and 15 minutes sequentially) take the listener through this post-apocalyptic wasteland that man has created. If you want something both majestic and bestial, look no further.

"As Time..." features my favorite sort of studio sound - raw enough to sound genuine while still retaining clarity amongst the parts. I've ranted about modern studio magic before, so I won't bother you, the reader, again here, but don't expect another "perfect" sounding record. This is gritty, real, and I love it.

I normally wouldn't think that sunny Southern California would fully grasp this concept of bitter, miserable cold, especially with the West Coast's recent affinity for warmer, flowery music, yet Lake of Blood's soon-to-be-released full-length "As Time And Tide Erodes Stone" leaves my toes cold even in front of the warmest space heater. Get into this.

Lake of Blood will be on tour with Seidr and Falls of Rauros this coming January - be sure to support them and grab this killer album!

TOUR DATES:

1/10 - Louisville, KY @ Lisa's Oak St. Lounge

1/11 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Basement

1/12 - Richmond, VA @ The Triple

1/13 - Philadelphia, PA (WITH LONESUMMER, FOLKS) @ JR's Bar

1/14 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Acheron

1/15 - Portland, ME TBA

1/16 - Portland, ME TBA

-Jon